BJP’s win certain in 2019: Manohar Parrikar

The Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh assembly poll results in favour of the BJP are a confirmation of who will form the next government after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, chief minister Manohar Parrikar said on Monday.

"I consider the party's performance in Gujarat to be excellent, despite 22 years of incumbency," he said.

The chief minister said Patidar leader Hardik Patel joined forces with 'others' to launch a huge campaign to defame Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gujarat, but it hardly affected the BJP. The impact was only felt in Saurashtra, he said.


"There was a joint campaign to defame BJP by all opposition forces, but the voters knew that an apple is an apple... The party responded effectively with a systematic campaign. And, after 22 years, no matter what you do, there will be some impact of long incumbency. The opposition tried to use it to their advantage. So, I consider the result excellent," Parrikar said.

The Saurashtra result will be analysed by the party and worked upon before the 2019 polls, he said.

The chief minister also said the party will ensure it wins handsomely at the upcoming Karnataka polls as well.

"There was an expectation that because of GST and demonetisation, BJP's vote share would be affected in urban areas of Gujarat. But, we have swept Ahmedabad and almost swept Baroda and Surat. In fact, Congress saw some of its big names lose. BJP has seen an increase in popularity by 1%. And the increase for Congress from 4% to 5% has been snatched from others. We have only gained, except in the Saurashtra region," the chief minister said.

He said Goa BJP has sent its congratulations to the Gujarat chief minister and the BJP team in Himchal Pradesh for the win. "With a 2/3rd majority, forming the government in Himachal is certain," said Parrikar. Responding to a question on allegations against the BJP of tampering with electronic voting machines, he said, "It is foolishness."